*'''The heart of Cinque Terre - Short Rent''' [http://www.theheartofcinqueterre.yolasite.com/] Sea view, between Corniglia and Vernazza (hamlet 'Prevo'), the most high and most impressive spot of Cinque Terre Blue Path (208 m. above sea level). Offers accommodation for €30 per person. It is the only accommodation located along the blue path.

+

*'''The heart of Cinque Terre - Short Rent''' [http://www.theheartofcinqueterre.yolasite.com/] Sea view, between Corniglia and Vernazza (hamlet 'Prevo'), the most highest and most impressive spot of Cinque Terre Blue Path (208 m. above sea level). Offers accommodation for €30 per person. It is the only accommodation located along the blue path.

*'''Ostello Cinque Terre''' [http://www.hostel5terre.com] in Manarola is the largest hostel in the area. Book well in advance.

*'''Ostello Cinque Terre''' [http://www.hostel5terre.com] in Manarola is the largest hostel in the area. Book well in advance.

*'''Ostello Corniglia''', in the historic center of Corniglia, has two small dorm rooms and private rooms.

*'''Ostello Corniglia''', in the historic center of Corniglia, has two small dorm rooms and private rooms.

Revision as of 16:18, 17 October 2013

Cinque Terre, which means Five Lands, comprise the five small coastal villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso located in the Italian region of Liguria. They are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Villages

Understand

All the towns slope down to sea-level except for Corniglia, which is
perched on top of a tall cliff. Four of the towns possess an old-world
charm (from North-to-South: Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore). The northern-most town, Monterosso, is completely different. It is very beachy-resorty, with not much to see beyond the boardwalk apart from modern apartment blocks and hotels—nothing like the narrow, crooked streets of the other towns, lined with colorful old houses stacked haphazardly on top of each other.

Riomaggiore is the southern-most of the 5 Terre. During the day you can hear bell towers chiming and at night the frogs are in frenetic chatter as small boats go night fishing for anchovies and other fish using lights to attract the fish. Riomaggiore also has an ancient stone castello, about which little has been written. An information sign outside explains that first mention of the castello appeared in a document from the mid-500s, which already described it as “ancient”. Its quadrangular walls with two circular towers were built to protect the citizens in case of an attack from the sea. In 800, the castello became a cemetery, and parts were destroyed to adapt it to its new function. Nowadays it is one of the monuments of the Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre. Most of the action in Riomaggiore is on the main street, Via Colombo, where there is an assortment of cafes, bars, restaurants, and of course, gelaterie. There are also alimentari shops selling the typical yummy Italian fare: fresh fruit (strawberries, cherries, and nespole), an assortment of salumi (salami, mortadella and the like), cheeses, olives, etc. These are good places to stock up for the hikes into the hills, although all of them are not very far from a town. Bar & Vini, perched on the side of the mountain above the sea, is excellent place for a summer night. The place had the usual mix of tourists and local families with their kids, even well into the night.

Manarola is a town filled with boats, at least on the lower part of it. Covered boats of all kinds line the main street, but it is hard to say when they had last been out. There are many lovely places to eat and drink in Manarola. La Cantina Dello Zio Bramante serves acciughe (anchovies) fresh from the sea, with lemon, olive oil, and fresh, crusty bread. Aristide Café had the cheapest espressi macchiatti (70 cents), the first bar encountered if walking from Riomaggiore (a paved, easy, path that goes by the sea, and takes about 15 minutes or so). It turns out that Manarola also has the best gelateria of all the towns: 5 Terre Gelateria e Creperia, on Antonio Discovolo next to the Farmacia which is next to the COOP 5 Terre. Manarola also has a nice little swimming area. It’s a little cement pier next to some big rocks that you can wade out from, into the blue blue waters. It gets deep fast, so it's possible to dive off the end of the pier. Plenty of caves and coastline to explore, and underwater rocks. There are also a few more swimming holes farther on, accessible from the Blue Trail, not far from the gate beyond which the trail pass is required. There are stairs going all the way down to sea level, and a small little terrace about half-way down with picnic tables where you can see locals enjoying a simple lunch. There are lots of sharp mussels and barnacles down by the rocks, but otherwise the swimming is fantastic here too, without many people.

Corniglia: Farther along the Blue Trail there is a stone beach that offers much easier access to the water, and also more people. At the Corniglia train station, the path gains height to reach the town, which sits 300 feet above the Ligurian Sea, the only one not near sea-level. The road passes lemon trees, vines, lilies and vegetation of all kinds, and in May the air is full of the perfume of flowers.

Corniglia feels smaller and quieter, but just as quaint as the other towns. Bar Nunzio serves 2 euro glasses of local wine—with a complementary bowl of local olives— under some yellow umbrellas near the statue of Corniglia himself. There is a little piazza with a communal olive press where you can sit and pass the time. There is also a tower, but it is not very high.

As Corniglia is atop a large hill, it is only reachable from the train station by either climbing the 365 steps up the hill ("one for each day of the year") or also there is a bus run by the Cinque Terre National park that takes people up to Corniglia and back down again. This is a must if you are carrying suitcases. The bus only runs from 7am - 8pm, and starts at 8am on the weekends.

The Blue Trail from Corniglia to Vernazza, the next town to the north, is a dirt path that starts off in an olive grove above the town. It keeps climbing and things get a bit sweaty and steep in some places, with many stone steps and a few switchbacks. Nothing too strenuous though. The trail along the sea affords great backwards views of both Corniglia and Manarola. In half way between Corniglia and Vernazza you meet Prevo, a tiny hamlet of Vernazza, the most high and most impressive spot of Sentiero Azzurro at 208 meters above sea level, that overlooking on the famous Guvano Beach. Vernazza is approached from above and its two ancient towers are in prominent view (they close at 19:00). The town itself has a maze of tiny streets that eventually lead down to the main street. At first sight, Vernazza seems a little rundown. The paint on the buildings around the beach area is peeling off in large sections, but don’t let that put you off. Vernazza is lively and boisterous and has a great night scene, two clock towers, a beach, boats, and a large public space with umbrellas and tables. The beach area is a small sandy strip that is not the best swim spot (there is only a small section of water roped off for swimming, beyond which are boats and then the open sea), but it is safe for kids and free of sharp bivalves.

You can spend the evening having wine along the main street below the train station, lounging on a quiet bench above the town beside hotel Gianni overlooking the sea, or by the sea, watching the mountainous coastline zigzag in and out, hiding Monterosso.

Monterosso is actually two towns, connected by a short road tunnel (used by pedestrians also): 'old' Monterosso and the new town (originally called Fegila) developed from the 50s onwards,which has a number of large, modern apartments and hotels. The new town has a quite large sandy beach with lots of colourful umbrellas, and of course, beach-side restaurants and cafes. The old town is similar to the other Cinque Terre towns, though bigger and not quite as steep and has a number of boutiques and other shops. Not to be missed at the end of the beach is a big statue holding a terrace.

It is important to bear in mind that, with the exception of the new part of Monterosso, the streets in all the towns rise steeply from the the harbours/train stations and are quite a challenge if you are carrying baggage. Also, while all the towns have railway stations, mainline trains travelling through the Cinque Terre only stop in Monterosso station.

Get in

By plane

The closest airports are at Pisa and Genova. Firenze is also a reasonable choice. The city of Milan is about a 2 hour train ride to Genoa where one is able to change to the local train line. Milan's Malpensa International Airport serves as a major intercontinental hub for the Italian airline Alitalia, but you will have to take a bus to the train station from the Malpensa Airport (~1 hour). There are also good connections from North America via large hubs such as New York City, Atlanta, and Philadelphia. Delta Airlines also operates a flight from Atlanta via New York's JFK International Airport to Pisa's Galileo Galilei International Airport.

By train

The Cinque Terre villages are well connected by rail and each of the villages has a train station, though some are only served by local trains. Regular local trains from Genova and La Spezia run with high frequency. All trains are operated by the state carrier, Trenitalia[2]. When traveling from La Spezia, you can buy your passes for Cinque Terre in a tourism office in a hallway off of platform 1 at the La Spezia station (12 Euros for a one-day train/hiking pass - as of June 2013).

By car

If approaching from La Spezia, take the 'litoranea' road from La Spezia. It is the A370, follow the signs to Cinqueterre. It takes approximately 20-30 minutes from La Spezia to drive to Riomaggiore or Manarola. If approaching via the A12, take the Levanto exit and folow the signs to the desired terre.

If covered parking is desired, garages are available in Riomaggiore and Monterosso de Mare. In Riomaggiore, the garage is located up the hill from the train station, operates from 8am to 9pm, and costs 23 Euros for 24hr. In Monterosso de Mare, the garage is found just above the main (but small) roundabout and is similarly priced.

If you want to park in Manarola, there are two parking spots available - the first one you see is 50% more expensive than the second if you pay per hour. The machines only take coins so if you don't have them go ask the saleswoman in the second parking place (the lower one). If you pay per day, the difference is minimal. In order to pay per day you need to leave your car with a small note ("I am going to buy the daily ticket, be right back" - in italian if possible) and go to the second parking spot (the lower one) to ask the saleswoman for the ticket. There are also a few free spots to park between the two paying park spaces, but they are usually crowded.

Approaching Monterrosso de Mare, it is also possible to parallel park along the main street that leads into the town (look for the blue lines) for a much lower price of about 5 Euros per day.

Some say the roads to and between the five towns are not for the faint of heart, and why most travelers are encouraged to leave their vehicle in La Spezia and take the train to the Cinque Terre.

Get around

Frequent trains link all five villages with each other (Trenitalia-run trains as well as a train service run by the park authority), La Spezia and other places towards Genova (only Trenitalia-run). You can purchase an all day train pass in La Spezia that also allows you to hike the Cinque Terre trails. The cost of the pass is 12 Euros (as of June 2013).

A more expensive, but very scenic option, are the boats that run up and down this part of the coast.

Walking is very popular, especially on the main coastal paths, which are subject to park entrance fees. It's worth exploring some of the higher paths to Volastra (above Manarola), Monte Negro (above Riomaggiore) or paths that begin outside of the park such as the trail between Levanto and Monterosso.

Traveling by car is by far the worst way to explore the Cinque Terre, there is little parking and what there is lies well outside the villages. To get from one village to the next involves driving all the way up to the high road and back down again. Better to leave the car and use the train.

In order to walk along the trails between the villages, one must purchase a pass (5 euros), which is available at the information offices near the train stations at any of the five villages, as well as the stations at Levanto and La Spezia. You can pay a small supplement (an extra €3) for the pass and get unlimited travel between the villages, Levanto, and La Spezia on regional trains for the duration of the pass.

Warning: Currently (June 2013) only one segment of the coastal path is open between Vernazza and Corniglia. The rest of the paths are officially closed because of the risk of landslides. In some of the towns you may enter the path at your own risk (without having to pay the usual fee). In other places the entrance to the path is blocked completely by high fences and/or a guard.

See

Corniglia and the typical Cinque Terre landscape

The main attraction of the Cinque Terre is the landscape. Mediterranean herbs and trees grow spontaneously from the top of the hills down to the water level. Well embedded in this magnificent natural scenery, one can admire the intense human activity of the ancestors, when the wine terraces were built. An enormous (and somehow crazy) work of transportation, carrying all the heavy stones on men's shoulders and women's heads. A work through the centuries, in fact it's estimated to have taken about 200 years to build the entire stone-wall network. Its total length has been calculated to be at least equal to the Great Wall of China.

Tourists can enjoy the scenery described above, walk through the towns (or between them) or hiking on the paths and enjoying the local atmosphere.

Depending on the time of the year there are some specific things to see:

The patron festivity of the 5 towns (all between late May and Aug.), a mix of religious ceremony and popular parties.

The pirates attack in Vernazza (mid summer), a celebration of the succesful defence of the town from a Saracen attack occurred during the middle age.

The harvest (early/mid Sept.) and wine making, when men's shoulders and women's heads are still used as they were hundreds of years ago.

The sea storms (frequent in winter), a great show of nature's power.

Do

The Cinque Terre boasts some of the best coastline hiking trails in the world.[3]
Since Cinque Terre is an area prone to landslides, it's always better to check if the hiking paths are open or closed, before leaving. [4] You must purchase a pass if you hike the trail number 2 (blue), while no pass is required for the other trails [5]. It is also possible to purchase a hiking and train pass in one if you wish to catch a train to the next town. Trains are frequent but it is advisable to check local time tables especially on Sunday and Public holidays as you could be waiting up to an hour for the correct train.

The trail closest to the water is marked as No. 2.
The path from Riomaggiore to Manarola is called the Via Dell'Amore (or roughly "Lovers Walk"). This is a paved path that is easy to walk for any age. Only the side starting from Manarola is wheelchair accessible. The Riomaggiore side starts with 2 flights of stairs. Along the way, passers-by have the opportunity to write their names on the walls of a gallery. Visitors should not scratch their names on trees or cactuses as this is damaging to the plants. Mid-way down the path, you will come across 'The Lover's Lock' which is a place to seal your eternal love. This custom follows the italian fad that was started by the film Tre Metri Sopra il Cielo. At this point there is a 'love seat' in the shape of a male and female locked in a kiss, where many couples pose.

There are two hiking paths from from Manarola to Corniglia. The first one is closest to the water and easy. It takes approximately 30 minutes. The path is not paved. To reach Corniglia town center there is an up hill hike and a large zig zag shaped staircase with 385 steps which can be quite a mission in the midday sun. In 2010-2011 there was a big landslide on this path so the park closed it for several months. Check with park offices if the trail is open. The second hiking path is through the mountains. If you reach Cinqueterre through Manarola, you can take a bus in the early morning to Corniglia and then do the other hiking paths on foot.

The trail from Corniglia to Vernazza is longer and the terrain is uneven. The hike takes approximately 2 hours.

The trail from Vernazza to Monterosso is the steepest (you need a reasonably good level of fitness - there is over 250m of climbing over very uneven rocks, totalling approx. 750 'steps' - not easy for most people), winding through olive orchards and vineyards and offering dramatic ocean views. The paths are narrow, with a very real danger of falling 12 to 15 feet if you lose your footing. If you attempt this hike, take some water, and be prepared to build up a very decent sweat.

The walk on the No. 2 trail between all the villages takes the better part of a day. For those that would rather not walk (or not walk the entire trail), a boat ferry service runs seasonally to all five villages, plus Lerici. The price is reasonable, and gives a nice view of the villages from the water. The regional train that connect all the villages is also a quick way to hop among towns.

If you are a more experienced hiker, take advantage of other trails that go higher up the mountain. These trails are well maintained, off the beaten path, and usually have fewer tourists. You can obtain detailed maps from any of the park offices. The paths number 7, 7/a and 6/d are particularly scenic and passing through nice vineyards and terraces. [6]

In June, July, August, it is advised that you attempt the walk as early as possible to avoid the unforgiving midday sun. Sneakers or suitable walking shoes are essential.

Hiking Times

Amazing views of Vernazza; greenest trail. In 'Prevo' (tiny hamlet of Vernazza) at 2 km from Corniglia and 2 km from Vernazza, you are in the most high and most impressive spot of Sentiero Azzurro at 208 meters above sea level.

Swimming

It is possible to swim in the sea at each of the villages. Almost every year the Cinque Terre Marine Reserve vies for the top of the Blue Flag Beach list of Italy. There are two large sandy beaches at Monterosso, a small sandy beach at the harbor of Vernazza, and pebble beaches near Riomaggiore and Corniglia. Off the beaten path there are pebble beaches in Framura and Bonasola just 20 minutes away on the train. You can swim off rocks at the small harbors at Manarola (which has a very nice and deep swimming hole) and Riomaggiore. Corniglia's small harbor is reached by a long staircase leading down to the sea. It is probably the quietest swimming spot of all the five lands because of this.

During summer, "5 Terre Swimming" (www.5terreswimming.it) organizes swimming competitions in Open Water and non-competitive events, with the purpose of promoting the sport activity in the water of the natural park of 5 Terre.

Eat

When grapevines and olive trees cover the hillsides, wine and oil are a must on our tables. They prove excellent companions for the salted anchovies of Monterosso served in olive oil as well as the many specialty fish dishes, authentic gastronomic delights.

The cuisine of the Cinque Terre almost perfectly conserves the characteristics of yesteryear; the respect for the flavors and fragrances of the primary ingredients.
Trofie is a kind of pasta made from chestnut or wheat flour and is one of the forefathers of modern and more sophisticated pasta. Its condiment is still pesto sauce; an original Ligurian sauce made from basil leaves, extra virgin olive oil, grated cheese, pine nuts, and marjoram.
Tagliatelle, a broad handmade pasta, is used with sauces that contain mushrooms, cabbage and potatoes, beans, chickpeas or sometimes with pesto.

Vegetable pies, 'torte di verdura' are prepared with a stuffing containing borage (borago officinalis), parsley, marjoram, other local herbs that grow wild, artichokes, swiss chard, zucchini, potatoes, and leeks are combined with egg and ricotta cheese or with stale bread soaked in milk or béchamel sauce (depending on each family's traditions), parmesan cheese. The pie crust is very thin, because flour was a very precious commodity.

Rice pie, or 'torta di riso' is a specialty of every grandma in the region. In Monterosso this rice pie was made even more delectable by adding a bit of dried mushrooms to the filling. In Manarola, the tradition is to make this dish for the feast of the patron saint Saint Lawrence on August 10th.

Egg 'frittate', or flat omelettes, are popular today as the 'frittata' has been rediscovered as a tasty antipasto.
Another important dish on the tables of the Cinque Terre population was the 'cotoletta di acciuga', anchovies stuffed with a breadcrumb based filling and then fried. The 'fritelle di bianchetti', fritters made from tiny newborn anchovies or sardines were also highly appreciated. Following the seamen's gastronomic traditions, other dishes included stewed cuttlefish, stuffed calamari and spiced octopus.

Mussels, another protected designation of origin product from the Gulf of La Spezia are prepared in a variety of ways: stuffed, stewed, baked.

Farinata, like a focaccia but made with chickpea flour. A regional speciality.

Pizzeria Fratelli Basso on via Roma is one of only two places in town where you can eat farinata—like a focaccia but made with chickpea flour. The wood-fired pizzeria down the road will make it if they don’t have any left.

5 Terre Gelateria e Creperia for gelato (attention: it might not be fresh and be sitting there for days, ask the saleswoman)

Vernazza

Monterosso

Ristorante Belvedere (under the railway viaduct in the old town) is a busy and popular place to eat, serving tasty food that's not too expensive.

La Voglia (in the new part of Monterosso) serves gluten-free pasta and sauces (vouched for by a Coeliac!)

Drink

The fame of the Cinque Terre is largely due to its products, the dry white wine, simply called 'Cinque Terre' and the 'Sciacchetrà', a prized dessert wine made from prime grapes dried to the point of holding only a few drops of sweet juice.
A colorful addition to the Cinque Terre products is 'limoncino'; a dessert wine made from steeping lemon peels in pure alcohol and then adding sugar and water to make a fragrant and fresh liquor. The lemons, another famous product of the Cinque Terre are prominently on display in the many 'limoneti' (lemon groves) and at the annual Lemon Festival held each year in Monterosso during the season of Pentacost.

The Sentieri dell'Uva (Grape Routes) are still as they once were with fig trees planted in strategic positions to give shade during breaks from work, agaves planted to mark boundaries, to line the footpaths along steep, stony steps and to indicate the rail terminals of the recently installed monorails which are the only vertical structures emerging from this seemingly completely, horizontal landscape. Many dry stone walls support this terraced landscape.

The large wicker baskets of grapes (corbe) are arranged along the "pose" (little walls, as wide as tables, built solely for this purpose). These include Albarola (Trebbiana), Biancorotto, Bruciapagliaio, Piccabon (Pizzamosca). To make white table wines the following are used: Fiore di Bosco, Rappolungo, Fogiaccia, Ruspara, and Sesagra. Baskets full of Magnagra (Albarola), from which the famous Black Sciacchetrà is made, are handled with extreme care and set to one side.

The Cinque Terre grape tracks reach down to the sea. In the past, people used to anchor small fishing boats called "gozzi" immediately below the terraced vineyards. Baskets laden with grapes were then lowered from above into these small boats which then sailed round to the otherwise inaccessible village.

Nowadays this method is nothing but a distant memory but by visiting the Cinque Terre you are still able to sample some of the most prized wines of the world that have been created by centuries of backbreaking experience.

Sleep

The heart of Cinque Terre - Short Rent[8] Sea view, between Corniglia and Vernazza (hamlet 'Prevo'), the most highest and most impressive spot of Cinque Terre Blue Path (208 m. above sea level). Offers accommodation for €30 per person. It is the only accommodation located along the blue path.

Ostello Cinque Terre[9] in Manarola is the largest hostel in the area. Book well in advance.

Ostello Corniglia, in the historic center of Corniglia, has two small dorm rooms and private rooms.

Ostello Tramonti is actually in Biassa, not any of the five towns, but is accessible by bus from La Spezia and Riomaggiore. A word of warning: the last bus up the mountain runs at about 8PM, and you don't want to hike up in the dark.

Monastery of S. Bernardino, above Corniglia, offers accommodation for about €60 per room.

Cinque Terre Holidays hostel in Riomaggiore. €40/person, but these are rooms with a view! High up on a hill with a stone balcony overlooking the sea in front and a terraced mountainside on the side. Be warned that this hostel has gotten very mixed reviews on review sites.

B&B La Torretta. Beautiful B&B with sea view in Manarola.

Home Cinque Terre - Short Rent[13] Small, independent house with kitchen, bedroom and bathroom, large terrace and garden overlooking the sea at 230 meter up sea level.

At 50 meters from the Blue Path between Corniglia and Vernazza.
Offer accomodation per 60€ per day

Holiday villas for rent in Levanto, [1]. Holiday self-catering accommodation in Levanto: the doorway to the Cinque Terre

Campgrounds

There are a few campgrounds where you can rent a tent with two beds and linens for very low prices. Note that none are inside the national park area but quite a few can be found just to the north of the park in the touristy but pleasant town of Levanto. It's not advised to try wild camping, since it's illegal, and it can be dangerous due to the presence of wild boars roaming free in the park.

Camping Aqua Dolce. near the town center and about 200 meters from the beach.

Pian di Picce and Albero 'd Oro are situated next to each other a bit more inland, at about 1000 meters from the beach but closer to the railway station (at about 200 meters).

Other campsites can be found south of La Spezia and further north around Deiva Marina. Levanto is a better option though because it is serviced by the park-run train service connecting all five villages as stated earlier.

It's advisable to try to book in advance when arriving in late June, July, August since these sites tend to fill up quickly during that period. Many hotels, including the hostel, book up in months in advance.

Get out

As the weather gets warmer so does the evening life at local bars and restaurants on the weekends. Italian Holidays mean the hotels, restaurants and bars will be very busy. As summer sets in there is some nightlife in almost every village.

Cantina dello Zio Bramante, in Manarola is a the watering hole par excellence for the young locals, musicians and social minglers. The owners invite latin jazz bands or musician friends to play on weekend nights in the summertime. The tavern-like atmosphere has been known to transform itself into a late night dance party if the owner is in the mood.

Pie de Ma Wine Bar Perched atop a cliff on the Via Dell'Amore (closer to the Riomaggiore side) this bar offers a sample of the best wines by the glass of the region. The owners are experienced cocktail artists and this is a draw for many Cinque Terre locals and La Spezia area people as well. The seating is in the open so the bar is closed November to February. In the summer they invite DJs, bands and dance groups to perform on their terrace overlooking the sea.

Enoteca da Elizeo in Monterosso is a delightful and friendly place to have an aperitivo or a glass of wine at any time. It's famous for its selection of Grappa, but be advised that you may be competing with the locals for a place at busy times.

This is a usable article. It gives a good overview of the region, its sights, and how to get in, as well as links to the main destinations, whose articles are similarly well developed. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!